Eugene C. Gene" Hays

YORK- Eugene C. "Gene" Hays, 67, passed away Tuesday January 13, 2009 at Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Mary L. (Brown) Hays to whom he was married for 48 years. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York. A viewing will be held from 1-2:00 PM Saturday at the Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Red Run Cemetery. Born June 15, 1941 in York a son of Rose E. (Moul) Hays of York and the late Ray F. Hays, he retired as a finish carpenter from Local #132 in Forestville, MD and had previously worked for Cole Steel. Gene began his career at Peach Bottom Power Plant where he helped build the physical plant. He was proud and honored for his carpentry work at the residence of former Secretary of the State Schultz and many other notable homes in the Washington DC area. Gene earned numerous achievement awards from the carpentry union. Mr. Hays was a member of the Viking Athletic Association, Vigilant Social Club, Rooster Club, Hawks Gunning Club, Girard Club, 12th Ward Democratic Club, Ebert's Lane VFW 556 and Shiloh American Legion 791, and the Craley Fish & Game Club. Gene enjoyed shooting pool and playing in pool leagues at the social clubs. He also made it a point to include his family in all his hobbies, whether it is hunting in McKean Co., fishing in Chincoteague, VA., or planting and operated his Christmas tree farm for several years. Mr. Hays was a US Navy veteran. In addition to his wife and mother, Mr. Hays is survived by two sons, Eugene A. and wife Debra Hays of York and Kevin R. Hays of York; a daughter, Lisa R. and husband Kevin Benedict of York; two grandchildren, Lonna Hays and fianc鐠Clay Williams of Washington DC, and Dalton Benedict of York; and several cousins. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Central PA, Olde Liberty Square, 4813 Jonestown Rd., Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or American Diabetes Assoc., 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17110.